Feldens CA, Borges TS, Vargas-Ferreira F, Kramer PF
Dental Traumatology 2016;32:429-437
The purpose of this comprehensive review is to explore the main concepts related to quantification and interpretation of risk factors and investigate characteristics associated with traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in the primary dentition. Initially, the main concepts related to causality and risk factors were summarized, including how to measure, express, and compare risk as well as interpret statistical significance. Based on a structured search through PubMed, original research articles regarding TDI and associated factors in the primary dentition were then reviewed by two examiners. Thirty-two studies were retrieved: most were cross-sectional in design and only 17 (53.1%) performed multivariable analysis. Most investigations did not find an association between gender and socioeconomic variables with TDI. Increased overjet was the only factor consistently identified as an associated factor. Behavioral characteristics have been recently investigated and suggested as potential risk factors for TDI in the primary dentition. In conclusion, increased overjet is undoubtedly associated with TDI in the primary dentition.
JOA & EL: This is a very well designed study of the role of risk factors in TDI affecting the primary dentition, and the only predictive factor isolated was increased overjet. As a great majority TDI injuries affecting the primary dentition are fall injuries. This should inspire to new studies on the effect of motor coordination as this factor develops at a different speed in boys and girls and also at different ages among children.